It always seems like when the parties having a conversation find out that they are all musicians, a band is formed. That’s just what happened here. A co-worker, and very good friend of mine, Mickey Bordonaro and I started talking about the bands we’d played in and the conversation turned to how we should form a “country” band and start making some extra cash! Country was the format because Mickey had done a bunch of that so it was just up to me (and whoever else came in) to learn it. The country music we were gonna do was pretty easy to learn, so what the hell!

I got a hold of my constant good ol’ drummer buddy, Mike Bartlett, and we formed the band. A little later, my cousin Steve Rush joined the group to play lead guitar. Mickey played guitar and keyboard, me on bass, and Mike, of course, drums.

We gave each other nick names like Biff Bush, Bart Bush, Bo Bush, and stuff like that just for fun. I think we only played 1 gig at a local bar, but we were great! 

Dennis Hageman


You know I never really knew how the "Bush Boys" were formed. It's true, it's not what you know but who you know and if you can get them to play in a band (ha-ha). The Bush Boys were actually a very good band from a musical standpoint. Your right the music was pretty simple and for the most part easy to learn. I think the main reason "Bush Bros" was a fun band was we didn't take it too seriously. I think that’s the key to most things in life. Put 100 % into it, have fun and enjoy... and don't take it to seriously!

Mike Bartlett


Ahhhhh...........so that's how it all started huh? Yes....that's true...........I had been in country bands for a while but mostly as a drummer. That's kind of all I knew.  And yes....forgot the keyboard. I remember it now. It was a Casio but not sure of the model. I recall wearing cowboy boots in the gig no?

I was wondering the same thing Mike was.  How did the Bush Boys actually get started??? And I agree too...........we had a lot of fun because we sort of spoofed on the idea of even being a band at all.  Remember how we laughed at our own band name??? I miss that for sure. I'd do that again in a heartbeat. I have 3 recordings (mp3) that were taken off a cassette copy of our famous album. When you hear them today the mix sounds a little muddy but I'm sure it's because the tape got a little degraded over time. I think I sent you guys what I had but I'll send it again if you need them. Do the actual studio tapes still exist? At the time I had a blonde Ovation acoustic that was given to me by my dad who got it for free because he worked for Charlie Kaman.........owner of Kaman Aircraft.......who created the first Ovation. I also think I had my blonde '76 Les Paul (which I still own today) at the time. I sort of remember starting off Surfin' USA with it. I don't have any pics of the band but maybe we could contact Rolling Stone to check their archives.

Mickey Bordonaro


I was playing in "Tribute" Beatles band in Az. Dennis and Gwen visited me at my house. Just finished playing under London Bridge in front of 7,000 people. 

I moved back to L.A. area from Lake Havasu Az. in 1982. Dennis asked me to play on a recording session he was doing for a girl country singer. (Don't know what happened to her) Met Mickey, and that's the genesis of The Bush Boys!

Steve Rush

The Bush Boys

                 Band Members

         Mickey Bordonaro – Guitar, vocals
         Dennis Hageman – Bass, vocals
         Steve Rush – Guitar, vocals

         Mike Barlett – Drums